No fewer than 1,000 children and teenagers have been trained in digital skills by the Glow Foundation for Children Empowerment and Development, as part of its annual outreach programme to equip young people with tools for the future.
The conference, tagged “1000 2.0,” held in FESTAC Town, Lagos, featured a range of activities, including digital literacy classes, tech empowerment sessions, awards and scholarships, exclusive mentorship slots, spiritual upliftment and blessings, as well as games.
The children, aged between six and 18, were exposed to practical training in digital marketing, graphic design, and data analytics, while selected participants will enjoy full scholarships for advanced learning with partner organisations.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Glow Foundation, Opeyemi Deborah Idowu, said the project stemmed from her desire to “do something beyond herself” and help children, particularly those from marginalised communities.
“I started in 2018 by visiting orphanages on my birthdays instead of hosting parties. The joy I felt convinced me that I couldn’t stop. Today, Glow Foundation is reaching thousands of children and giving them hope,” she said.
She explained that the foundation, which was officially registered in 2022, has, in three years, impacted thousands of children through skills acquisition and empowerment. Last year alone, it reached more than 7,000 children across 44 coastal communities in Ibeju-Lekki, teaching them vocational skills such as hairdressing, baking, soap making, and craft work.
“This year, we decided to move beyond the slums to focus on digital empowerment. We are preparing children for the digital future. Beyond this training, we will be enrolling some of them on scholarships and working with partners to provide laptops and digital devices,” Idowu added.
Director of Strategic Development and Partnerships at the foundation, Kehinde Adelakin, said the initiative has grown steadily from 1,000 children in 2021 to over 7,000 in 2023, thanks to collaborations with schools, NGOs, churches, and community groups.
He stressed that the mentorship element introduced this year will sustain the training.
“I personally mentored four participants in data analytics. Other facilitators are mentoring children in digital marketing and graphic design. We also distributed books, school bags, and other learning materials donated by our partners,” he said.
According to him, the foundation enjoys the support of more than 50 partners and sponsors, including OASIS International and Nobunga Security, who have consistently backed the programmes.
The foundation also announced plans to establish a tuition-free secondary school in Lagos, targeted at children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Idowu maintained that funding challenges will not deter the vision:
“With God’s love driving us, and with consistent partnerships, we can only grow bigger and better. Our mission is to help children see beyond their limitations and believe in the greatness within them,” she said.
Digital marketing expert Martins Nkemakolam urged children to embrace digital marketing skills early in life to prepare them for the future of work and enable them to earn income even while in school.
Speaking on the importance of the topic, he explained that digital marketing has become one of the most vital skills in today’s world, stressing that early exposure will empower young people to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
“The world is becoming digital, and every day there’s something new to learn. Digital marketing has come to stay. You don’t need to go out to sell your products anymore — you can do it from the comfort of your home,” he said.
He added that many business owners now rely on skilled marketers to manage their online presence, noting that if young people begin to learn these skills early, they can start earning while still in school.
“If they have this knowledge at a young age, by the time they get into the university, they’ll already be grounded. They can earn extra income while studying, and by the time they graduate, they’ll be professionals who can impact others. This will create a cycle of empowerment,” he stated.
Explaining his approach to engaging the children, Nkemakolam said he intends to simplify his teaching so that even younger participants can understand and share what they learn with their peers and parents.
“I’ll break it down in a way that even a six or seven-year-old can understand. Though it’s not primarily for that age group, I want them to grasp the basics and be able to talk about it with others,” he said.
Drawing from personal experience, he revealed that he began his journey into digital marketing at 17, during his school days, and believes that with the availability of modern tools, it’s now even easier for young learners to acquire these skills.
Nkemakolam also addressed concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) taking over human jobs, emphasizing that technology still depends on human control and innovation.
“People say AI will take your job — but AI cannot just take your job; you have to program it. You must build yourself too. When you get to that point, AI will still be answerable to you because it is humans who automate and give commands,” he said.
He encouraged the children to view technology as an opportunity rather than a threat and to position themselves as creators and innovators in the digital space.
“The key lesson I want them to take home,” he concluded, “is that as the world evolves, they too must evolve. Learn the skills, stay relevant, and be ready to lead the change.”
At the end of the training, Idowu delivered an inspiring message to the children, urging them to stay focused, avoid negative influences, choose their friends wisely, and strive to be responsible citizens.
